Clos Pegase is one of our favorite Napa Valley wineries. If we are anywhere near the winery we make it a point to stop by just to take a look around. What interests us most about this winery is not the wine, but its spectacular architecture and the fascinating artwork displayed throughout the winery premises. We are sure that there are a lot folks who think the architecture maybe out of place for Napa Valley, but we think it has a beauty all its own and fits neatly into the vineyard setting. There is a certain quiet and serene atmosphere that pervades this entire winery.

Jan Shrem is the owner and winemaker. Jan made his fortune working in Japan. He built a successful business in Japan mostly in translating English language technical books and publishing them in Japanese. He returned to the U.S., learned winemaking, and started Clos Pegase. In 1987, Jan selected renowned architect Michael Graves from a competition of 96 entrants to build Clos Pegase. The winery structure is spectacular, especially on a sunny day with its colors against a blue sky. The shadows cast by the sun at various times of the day add to the intrigue of this place.

There is artwork everywhere, in the courtyard, the tasting room and the gardens. Probably the most interesting and conversational piece is the huge thumb in the gardens on the backside of the winery. One cannot miss seeing it or pass up a chance to photograph it.

There are two tiers of tasting, $10 and $15. We did the $10 tasting and thought the wines were excellent. Our favorite wine is a blend called Clos Pegaso. This wine is sold only at the winery and to wine club members. With each vintage this blend varies but it is usually a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, and Merlot. We are on the winery’s email list. They seem of have many wine events and wine specials. It is a good mailing list to be on.

The winery is located near Calistoga, just off the Silverado Trail on Dunaweal Lane. There are tours scheduled at 11 am and 2 pm. There is a picnic area but it does not have much of a vineyard view.

The Good: The architecture, artwork, and setting. Good wines.
The Bad: Tasting fee, can be busy with visitors.

McKenzie-Mueller is a hidden winery tucked away on Las Amigas Road in the backroads of the Carneros region of Napa County. For travelers that happen to stumble on this winery, it is a great discovery. We passed this winery on the way to Bouchaine Vineyards and just happened to spot the small winery sign posted at their driveway. Later, at Bouchaine, our host called McKenzie-Mueller to see if we could visit. McKenzie-Mueller is open only by appointment but the staff is eager to accommodate all visitors on the spur of the moment provided someone is working at the winery. We got the okay for a visit and off we drove to McKenzie-Mueller about half a mile from Bouchaine.

Jayson Cleveland, who is the chief assistant around the winery, greeted us. We spent over an hour with Jayson tasting all of the McKenzie-Mueller wines and learning the history and philosophy of the winery. We also got a vineyard tour. The winery has two estate vineyards. Surrounding the winery are their Carneros vineyards where they grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Merlot. The winery’s other vineyard is the Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll region where Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are grown. Bob Mueller and his wife Karen McKenzie established the winery in 1989. Bob is the winemaker while Karen tends to the hospitality side of the winery while also teaching high school art.

We enjoyed all the McKenzie-Mueller wines. The reds have complex flavors and several have earthy tones characteristic of many of the famous French wines. Our favorite wines of the several we tasted were the Pinot Grigio, the Merlot, Pinot Noir, and the Cabernet Franc. The latter two were absolutely delicious and outstanding.

The Good: Boutique winery making terrific wines, family owned, no tasting fees.
The Bad: Open by appointment, no formal tasting room, but that can be a good thing.

Bouchaine Vineyards is located in the beautiful backroads of the Carneros wine region in Napa County. This is a good choice for a tasting room especially if one is attempting to escape the massive weekend crowds that flock to the Napa Valley during the peak months. There are two ways to get to Bouchaine but if you want some breathtaking views of the vineyards of Carneros we suggest you turn west on Duhig Road from the Carneros Highway, Highway 12/121. Duhig Road and Highway 121 is where you enter to the Domaine Carneros chateau. Drive two miles on Duhig Road and turn left at Las Amigas and then drive one mile to Buchli Station Road. Bouchaine sits on the southern tip of the Carneros region very near to where the Napa River empties into San Pablo Bay. Drive slowly and absorb the beauty of this wonderful wine country.

Be sure to pack a picnic lunch because you will be hard pressed to find a picnic spot in wine country that is much lovelier. There is a deck and grassy area with tables where visitors can enjoy lunch. The picnic area faces their beautiful Pinot Noir vineyards and Bouchaine has several wonderful lunch wines to accompany a gourmet lunch. These wines include a Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and a very delicious Rose of Syrah.

The staff in the tasting room is all very affable and extremely knowledgeable. You can tell that they enjoy their jobs. Bouchaine has the right strategy as far as the tasting fee. It is $5, which is reasonable, and the tasting fee can be applied to the purchase of the wine. Not all the wines are available for tasting but enough to satisfy a visitor. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are their flagship wines and estate grown in their Carneros vineyards. These wines are wonderful but our favorite of the tasting was the Rose of Syrah.

The Good: The staff, the picnic area, a wonderful atmosphere
The Bad: At some point, one has to pack up and go home.